Red Creek wildfire in northeastern BC jumps by more than 1,000 hectares

A pair of wildfires in the northeast corner of the province continue to burn out of control with one seeing a significant increase in size this weekend.

As of Sunday, the Red Creek wildfire located northwest of Fort St. John jumped to 1,550 hectares. On Saturday it was estimated at only 475 hectares.

The Peace River Regional District has now issued an evacuation order for more than 60 properties in the Red Creek and Lower Cache areas.

An evacuation alert is also in place for properties in the Red Creek, Lower Cache and south of the Beatton Airport Road areas.

The BC Wildfire Service says there are four initial attack crews, one unit crew, three commanding officers, structure protection personnel and two helicopters working on this fire, which is believed to be human caused.

“Crews worked with heavy equipment through the night establishing containment lines on the east flank from the lower Red Creek Road southward. Crews are continuing this work today and expect to complete the containment line on the east flank by the end of the day,” says the agency.

The Prince George Fire Centre is currently responding to multiple incidents across the fire centre, including four Wildfires of Note. These incidents are evolving and more information will be provided as we receive it. pic.twitter.com/OZBEoTBYqQ

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) May 6, 2023

The Boundary Lake wildfire, which is located near the BC/Alberta border, east of Fort St. John continues to be estimated at 1,900 hectares.

On Saturday, Peace River Regional District issued an evacuation order and an evacuation alert for properties near this fire and they remain in effect.

There are three initial attack crews and four helicopters assigned to this fire.

“Crews worked late into the night securing areas of concern on the north and south flanks, connecting fire guard to existing roads,” says the BCWS.

“Today crews will continue to work in the southwest corner. Challenging terrain in the southwest corner has slowed progress in that area.”

A little further south, the Teare Creek fire is now considered held at 1,100 hectares, which means it is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under current conditions.

This fire was discovered on Thursday near the Village of McBride, which is about 200 kilometres southeast of Prince George.

On Sunday, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George said all evacuation orders and alerts have been rescinded, “ thanks to the weather gods and the good work of the BC Wildfire Services.”

BCWS says the Coffee Creek wildfire northwest of Fort St. John continues to be held at about 60 hectares.

Thumbnail photo credit: 123rf